Ian Ziering Explains How to Survive a Sharknado

If you had asked Ian Ziering two years ago if he’d still be fighting cyclones of sharks, he would have given you a resounding “no.” But Twitter and rabid fans have turned the wacky SyFy film from a one-off into a franchise worthy of even more A-list cameos and ridiculous shark fighting. With the latest installment, Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, premiering Wednesday, July 22 at 9/8c on Syfy (Ch. 244), we asked Ian about making the third film and which of his Beverly Hills 90210 cast members could survive a cataclysmic carnivorous event.

When you started on this movie, did you ever imagine the reaction fans would have, or that you’d be here making a third movie?
I never imagined Sharknado would grow into a globally anticipated movie currently in its third rendition and still showing no signs of slowing.

What can you tell us about the plot this time around?
The storm strikes in Washington, D.C., where Fin finds himself torn between saving the President and his family in Florida … Spoiler alert: He does both!

Obviously things are shrouded in a bit of mystery, but we do know Mark Cuban is the president and Ann Coulter is the VP. How was it working with both of them?
Both Mark and Ann were fantastic to work with. They were very serious about their character development and very professional in front of the camera. They both added so much to the White House scenes.

What skills have you learned for dealing with shark-based weather emergencies now? What should a regular person do to survive if they find themselves in a Sharknado?
If you every find yourself confronted with a real Sharknado—Run like hell, but do it with a chainsaw in your hand!

Which Beverly Hills 90210 cast member (besides yourself obviously), do you think would be the best at surviving a Sharknado?
Rush Sanders … He found a way out of every disaster.

When you have the time, what are some of your favorite shows to watch?Game of Thrones, Defiance, Penny Dreadful. Imagination Movers, Super Why!, The Chica Show—all things Sprout with the kids!